Good luck, hope all goes well. I find myself in the same boat, I'm a newby and have a house full of gear but no tent, it's ordered though and the first couple of pitches will be in the garden. Opted for the Maritsa 500, can't wait to get started.
Well Gimpymoo, we returned this afternoon from our first camping experience for about 25 years and it was brilliant! We thoroughly enjoyed it and can't wait to go again. Hope you enjoy it too
Consdiering it was only for 2 nights, the car was RAMMED so I think we have some "trimming" to do for our next trip.
We arrived about 1pm.
We got there, started to pitch and realised that trying to pitch with 3 kids aged 5, 3 and 7 months was more difficult than we thought what with toilet runs etc.
The Croyde was easy to pitch HOWEVER, I think there are times when 2 people are needed and with the other half dealing with the kids, I was left on my tod for the most part.
My mistake was when pegging down what I thought was the corners of the SIG, I was just pegging down the flysheet (schoolboy error).
A gust of wind from the back of the tent and ping went the elastics so replaced with spare rubbers.
At this point, the nice tunnel shape which was forming, collapsed.
Kindly, a family had been watching and came to help (3 of them infact) and helped to get the majority of it pitched which was kind of them.
The tent was missing instructions although luckily I had wrote down "garys way" from another thread on here which bar my error would have worked amazingly well.
Figured out where the left over poles went (Internal side and the doorway) and that was that (3 hours - lol)
It did rain on the Saturday night and not a single drop inside the tent.
All in all, a great time and will DEFINITELY be going away for a week in Cornwall in the next month or so (work holidays prevailing).
Beechcroft farm is a very well equipped site, lovely showers and very clean facilities and a great view.
Amazing family weekend with old steam engines, classic car displays, market stalls, and full catering and bar. And camping on site - Save £25 by booking in advance.
Topic: New Camper
